Manitoba Derby a wide-open affair

In what appears a wide-open event, Candy Giant is the 5-2 morning line favorite in Monday’s $75,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg.

Candy Giant had a busy winter campaign at Turf Paradise, where he graduated over mile on the grass in February. After finishing seventh in the March 10 Tempe Handicap there, he returned to Assiniboia on May 13 to capture a first-level optional claimer over five furlongs.

Candy Giant subsequently finished third then second in two sprint stakes. He then romped in the prep local prep for the Manitoba Derby, the one-mile Harry Jeffrey Stakes, prevailing by five lengths over the future allowance winner Pete Marwick.

A field of eight 3-year-olds was drawn for the 70th running of the derby, which will be run over 1 1/8 miles as the nightcap on the seven-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Candy Giant, by Eskendereya
Last 3 Beyers: 74-72-64

◗ He worked a half-mile in a bullet 47.80 seconds on July 29.

◗ His trainer, Eurico Martens, has won with 10 of 40 starters at the meet, which ranks him eighth in the standings.

Sky Promise, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 78-76-68

◗ The 7-2 second choice, he is debuting off the claim by trainer Robertino Diodoro, a high-percentage angle. The turf expert rallied for fifth when he was haltered from a $40,000 grass route at Churchill June 30. He didn’t threaten the winner when second and third in his only two dirt races, which came early in his career.

United Patriot, by Flat Out

Last 3 Beyers: 62-75-87

◗ Another Diodoro-trained shipper and the 9-2 third choice, he never challenged last time on the grass in the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury. He defeated $50,000 opposition in a quick clocking going seven-eighths at Keeneland when Diodoro claimed him in April.

Fortified Effort, by Ez Effort
Last 3 Beyers: 63-64-81

◗ He only got a 63 Beyer last time in his gate-to-wire score in the 1 1/16-mile Colorado Derby at Arapahoe Park, where he earned an 87 Beyer when taking the six-furlong Inaugural Stakes convincingly May 27. Expect him to help set the pace.

Gato Guapo, by Factum
Last 3 Beyers: 73-54-75

◗ He ran hot and cold in his last two outings on the grass at Monmouth after crushing $32,000 maidens on the dirt at Tampa.

◗ He worked a bullet five-eighths July 29 at Canterbury, and this will be his first start for Diodoro.

Pete Marwick, by Soldat
Last 3 Beyers: 69-65-62

◗ He had a wide trip when second in the July 14 Harry Jeffrey, and then won a seven-furlong allowance 11 days later. This is his sixth start of the meet, but he appears to be thriving on all the action.